CARB compliance today without capex or downtime
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
CALIFORNIA GATEWAY
The business is coordinating with its terminal customers to encourage adoption of this technology , ensuring that its mechanics are thoroughly trained to maintain and repair these advanced systems .
Third-party logistics provider PCC Logistics , similar to many of its stakeholders , has also committed to further reducing its carbon footprint .
“ We ’ ve made significant investments into our electrical infrastructure to run refrigerated containers in our terminals rather than diesel-powered gensets in conjunction with charging stations for our lift and yard vehicles ,” said Daniel Crosby , PCC ’ s director of business transformation and development .
PCC is also participating in grant programs in excess of $ 20 million in partnership with the Port of Oakland to significantly increase its electric vehicle fleets and power generation initiatives .
“ Maritime vessels have extremely long life spans , making it unrealistic to replace them ,” said Michael Walker , CEO of STAX Engineering , a pioneer in maritime emissions capture and control .
“ Alternative energy sources to fuel cross-Pacific deliveries are still being invented , and retrofitting ships for shore power is timely and expensive . We saw the maritime sector as an industry that needed an immediate solution to cut down its high pollution rate before new technology caught up . STAX is designed to be the bridge [ of ] technology that stops emissions from old infrastructure now , and brings them to a clean air future ,” Walker added .
Meeting all emissions reduction requirements for California ports , STAX ’ s system is ideal for older vessels or those that visit occasionally .
“ Building new vessels with alternative fuel resources is counterintuitive to a lighter carbon footprint , given the carbon it would take to manufacture each new ship ,” Walker said . “ Our emissions capture and control technology and shore power complement existing systems and create a total emissions reduction environment .”
The company notes its solutions align with state regulations and infrastructure improvements , offering immediate ship pollution reduction and enhancing air quality for nearby communities . Emission capture and control can be complementary to shore power solutions . “ We fit like a glove with California ’ s practices ,” Walker said . “ Without capture and control , many ships wouldn ’ t meet the requirements . The two services together provide complete coverage for vessel emissions within a port .
“ Our only unique challenge is managing our fleet of STAX barges across the US ports . It ’ s not an oversimplification that once they ’ re in the right spot , we sail in and raise our boom to the ship ’ s exhaust . Our operations team has done a fantastic job of keeping things simple for ports and shippers ,” he added .
Since launching in January 2024 , STAX has expanded rapidly ; it plans to deploy 25 barges in California by the end of 2025 .
“ We ’ ve scaled the business to provide for the rapid demand growth with auto carriers and tankers ,” Walker said .
The company announced its first tanker partnership in August with Shell Oil Products . As of late August , STAX controlled more than 38.5 tons of pollutants across 102 vessels — a cumulative 5,025 hours . “ We ’ re only getting started ,” Walker said . A joint commitment between California ports and their partners for a greener future reflects the wider push for sustainability for ports across the nation . The Port of Long Beach ’ s 10-year , $ 2.3 billion capital improvement program and goals position it competitively in sustainable maritime practices . As it pursues its zero-emissions objectives , the port sets a benchmark for the industry and showcases the ways innovative practices drive environmental progress .
“ The Port of Long Beach will continue to lead the industry as a trailblazer of a greener future , while enhancing cargo velocity and our value proposition as the fastest way to deliver goods from Asia to US markets ,” Cordero said .
email : nicolerollender @ strandwritingservices . com
CARB compliance today without capex or downtime
The leader in mobile emissions capture and control technology for shipping terminals and fleet operators , STAX Engineering was launched in 2024 . STAX offers land- and barge-based services to ships in ports across California , including Long Beach , Los Angeles , Benicia , Hueneme , Oakland and Richmond . STAX is the only California Air Resources Board ( CARB ) -approved emissions control system for compliance with the At-Berth Regulations for container vessels , auto carriers ( ro / ros ), and soon , tanker vessels . The business has agreements to service vessels from Hyundai Glovis , Shell , Toyota , NYK , CMA CGM , T . S . Lines , OOCL and more .
STAX attaches to at-berth vessels through its patented , flexible exhaust capture system designed to accommodate all ships without modification or capital expenditures ( capex ) — even in the most congested ports . Once exhaust is captured and funneled into the STAX system , it is filtered to remove 99 % of particulate matter and 95 % of oxides of nitrogen before being released as purified gas .
It has 11 patents for technology such as self-propelling and selfmooring spud barges , making it easier and safer for ships to use its services .
To date , STAX has treated 103 at-berth vessels for a cumulative 5,086 hours and controlled 38.9 tons of pollutants and counting . STAX is on track to have 20 barges operating in the US in 2025 . The business is also developing carbon capture capabilities expected to be rolled out in 2025 . This technology will help STAX reach its mission of reducing 1 % of global CO2 emissions .
56 Journal of Commerce | September 23 , 2024 www . joc . com